A chilly trip to the tower

At today's pre-ride briefing, the leader, Glenn welcomed everyone to the "March ride", before correcting himself to say the "May ride". The weather was certainly more like March than May, being dull, grey and decidedly chilly. It did warm up in the afternoon and stayed dry all day. Our destination was Preston Tower, the remains of a 14th century castle, set on high ground in a lovely garden on the edge of Prestonpans. Given the chilly start, a turn out of 15 riders was quite respectable.

In a change from our usual route when heading east, we threaded through the quiet back streets of the Grange. Fountainhall Road was closed for the 2026 Grange Fair, so a minor detour was necessary. We were soon back on our intended route crossing Ratcliffe Terrace, Minto Street and Dalkeith Road. One rider's minor mechanical issue delayed us briefly. Back underway, we made our way carefully down Priestfield Road. Being a quiet road and downhill, we would have expected to whizz down it; but the appalling state of the road surface prevented that. Via Peffermill Road and Kings Haugh, we were soon on the Innocent Railway which we stayed on as far as Brunstane station. The Brunstane Burn path, Milton Road East and Edinburgh Road took us to a comfort stop at Fisherrow Harbour. From there we crossed the Electric Bridge and made our way to the Lagoons and along the path beside Musselburgh racecourse. Following a section of rough path, we were soon on the surfaced path beside the sea wall which took us to Prestonpans. Back on the road, we turned right at the traffic lights and climbed up to Preston Tower, which would be our lunch stop. But we continued past the tower for an extra pre-lunch loop. We took the road past the Prestonpans station car park, past Bankton House and the bridge over the A1, before turning left on the unsurfaced track that took us to Scotland's earliest railway, the Tranent - Cockenzie Waggonway. Turning left, we passed the Meadowmill Sports Centre before taking the B1361 and returning to Preston Tower. Although far-from warm, it was pleasant sitting in the lovely garden for our picnic lunch.

With lunch over, we headed down the hill into the centre of Prestonpans for a comfort stop, then took the road back towards Musselburgh. We left the road behind and joined the path beside the sea wall we had taken on our outward journey. Unlike in the morning, this time we stayed on the path beside the sea rather than heading slightly inland. Up beside the river and we were soon crossing the Electric Bridge before heading through Musselburgh's quiet backstreets to arrive at the railway station. From there we took the familiar route via Newcraighall and onto the Innocent Railway and back to the Meadows, where the leader declared the ride officially over.

Judging by the round of applause for the leader, it appears that everyone had enjoyed the ride. It is always satisfying to take riders to new places or to familiar places via lesser known routes. Thanks to Saquib for back marking.

Leader: Glenn

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn

To the tower

We have often passed through Prestonpans, but today it was our actual destination. Yaz led us to Preston Tower - the remains of a 14th century castle, set on high ground in lovely gardens with a noted laburnum arch. With plenty of seating and fine views over the Forth, it was an ideal location for a picnic lunch. Whilst the forecast suggested we would have a dry and sunny day with a gentle breeze, we were not expecting it to be pleasantly warm for the time of year, which was an added bonus. In the 20 Milers 21st year, it is great to still find places we can visit for the first time.

The weather and the promise of visiting somewhere new helped muster 22 riders for an October ride. Following a comprehensive briefing from the leader, we left The Meadows behind and took the familiar route to Musselburgh via the Innocent Railway. Stopping at Musselburgh station, Iain handed round his delicious homemade cake and Yaz handed round sweets to sustain us until lunchtime. From there, we were expertly led on an unfamiliar twisty route through the backstreets of Musselburgh to emerge beside the blue arrow at the end of Goose Green. Pausing there, Yaz called on Mike to explain why the blue arrow existed and the story behind it. Mike expertly delegated the task to the writer, who told the story to the group. From there we took the path beside the sea that led us to join the road into Prestonpans. Along the High Street, we turned right onto Ayres Wynd and climbed the hill to Preston Tower. We spread out in the lovely gardens beneath the tower to enjoy our picnics in the warm sunshine.

With lunch over, we headed back down towards the High Street. After a welcome comfort stop, we turned right at the traffic lights, and just before the Robert Burns Memorial Gardens turned left down a slope to a path above the shore. Below us was another path right beside the sea. A couple of riders said they had been on it before, found it very slippery and did not want to go on it again. That didn't matter, as the intention was to stay on the higher path. A combination of previous experience and thorough recceing meant that the leader knew the lower path was unsuitable and shortly petered out resulting in a push across a stretch of of beach. But the path we took was a delight; twisting behind houses and giving fine views across the Forth before emerging back onto the High Street. A short stretch on the road and we were back on the path from the morning beside the shore. This time we headed inland and took the path running alongside Musselburgh racecourse, which is so much better now it has a proper sealed surface. Up beside the River Esk, across the Electric Bridge, a brief pause at Fisherrow Harbour and we were on Edinburgh Road heading towards Portobello. The group got split up on this section courtesy of temporary traffic lights. But we regrouped at the bottom of Milton Road and headed onto the Brunstane Burn path. At the end of the path, we re-joined the route we had taken outward in the morning. Via the Innocent Railway, we were soon back at The Meadows where the leader declared the ride officially over.

Thanks to Yaz for leading us on such an enjoyable ride which was enjoyed by all. New to many was the section between Musselburgh station and the Electric Bridge, as was the path above the shore running parallel to Prestonpans High Street. But the highlight had to be Preston Tower set in such delightful gardens. Thanks to Saqib back marking.

Leader: Yaz

Report: Glenn

Photos: Glenn